Book excerpt: New Mexico in the 1700's is a dangerous place. Warring tribes of Native Americans struggle to keep their homeland, which is fast becoming the domain of Spanish invaders. En route to the home of her betrothed, Magdelena (Lena) de Marquez finds her trepidation of marriage to a childhood friend she barely remembers should be far from her greatest fear. Just miles from her destination, her traveling party is attacked, leaving Lena and an infant child the only survivors of the brutal massacre. Fearing death, or worse, little does she know that her journey into the bitter heart of her enemies has just begun.